by Peter Cummins,
Special Correspondent , Chiangmai Mail
Photo courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal Household
Born on July 4, 1957, Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn is the youngest
daughter of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of
Thailand and herself has two daughters, the princesses Siribhachudhabhorn
and Adityadornkitikhun.
Princess Chulabhorn graduated from the Faculty of Science and Arts at
Kasetsart University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organic Chemistry,
First Class Honours, in 1979, following with a doctorate in 1985, being
awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Organic Chemistry from Mahidol
University in July of that year, capping off a record of excellent academic
achievement.
In 1986, she was appointed as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of
Chemistry in London and was awarded the Einstein Gold Medal by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The following year, she undertook Post-doctoral studies in Germany, and has
since been a visiting professor at universities in Japan, Germany, and the
United States, as well as holding Honorary Doctorates from nine universities
around the world.
Her Royal Highness is chairperson of the Working Group on the Chemistry of
Natural Products collaborative program between the Japanese Society for the
Promotion of Science and the National Research Council of Thailand.
The Princess has received international recognition for her scientific
accomplishments, resulting in her appointment to various United Nations
posts, namely special advisor to the United Nations Environment Program and
member of the Special High-Level Council for the International Decade for
Natural Disaster Reduction of the United Nations.
As a result of her experience as a scientist, the Princess became
aware of the difficulties Thai researchers have in obtaining the necessary
funding for their research and so, in 1987, she established the Chulabhorn
Research Institute to provide a new fund-raising agency for such research.
This institute now acts as a focal point for the exchange of intellectual
and other resources in Thailand, for the purpose of solving urgent problems
confronting the country in areas of health, environment, and agriculture.
As president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, the Princess currently
directs five special research projects; the AIDS program, a programme on
restoration and integrated development of the flood-affected areas in
Southern Thailand, seawater irrigation for cultivation of economic marine
species and preservation of the mangrove forests, a rabies eradication
programme, with a special project for accelerated immunization in five
southern provinces in Thailand.
Through these programs the Princess plays an auspicious role in improving
the environment and living standard of the villagers in a number of Thai
provinces.
One of the vitally-important duties the Princess has undertaken in the
immediate past, has been the establishment of the Ban Namsai Community
Project, to assist the victims of the 2004 Tsunami, by applying the
expertise of the biotechnology and sea life experience of the Department of
Sea and Coastal Resources, of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, to
alleviate the suffering of the people affected, by this freak of nature.

On the occasion of HM the Queen’s sixth cycle,
seventy-second birthday on 12 August, 2004, and the third decade of the 30th
anniversary of the founding of the diplomatic relations between China and
Thailand, the Princess Presided over and presented Third Thai-China
Relationship Concerts in October 2005 at different locations in the
Kingdom.
Last year, on her fourth cycle, forty-eighth birthday, the Princess
delivered the address, Innovative Scientific Paradigms in Cancer
Chemotherapy, aimed at supporting researchers and scientists at the
highest levels of Biomedical and Life Sciences in Thailand.
The honoured Innovative Scientific Paradigms in Cancer Chemotherapy speech
for HRH Princess Chulabhorn was held for the third time.
The Chulabhorn Research Institute, in collaboration with the Royal Thai
Ministries of Health and the Environment, held a broad-ranging Technical
Subjects Meeting on the Environment of Asia and the Pacific, held in
Manila, December last year. Representatives of many Asia-Pacific countries,
vitally interested in the affects of waste, pollution and other toxic
substances on the environment and health, contribute to this important area
of human development.
More recently, (just last week, in fact), the Princess delivered the keynote
address to participants at the Fifth International Symposium on
Chromatography of Natural Products, at the Polish Academy of Science and
the Phytochemical Society of Europe, held at the Medical University of
Lublin, Poland.
But, probably one of the most outstanding events in the life of this
talented and hard-working Princess – especially in view of the 60th
anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol’s accession to the Thai Throne,
being celebrate this year – is the day, some 16 years ago, when she went
to Cambridge, near Boston, Massachusetts.
Cambridge is generally known as home of the prestigious Harvard University.
But for the Thai people, the name of the city also brings a special warm
feeling, for it is where the country’s beloved Monarch was born. When
Princess Chulabhorn visited the city, it was more than a personal
sentimental visit to her father’s birthplace. It was an official occasion
of pride and was joy both for Thais and for the citizens of Cambridge: the
inauguration of the King Bhumibol Square in honour of “Baby Songkhla”,
as His Majesty was identified on his birth certificate at the Mt Auburn
Hospital in 1927, when his father Prince Songkhla was a medical student in
the United States.
The city of Cambridge passed a resolution, “by acclamation” to dedicate
“King Bhumibol Square”, in recognition of the King’s birth in
Cambridge, as well as to acknowledge his world-renowned achievements and
dedication to the welfare of the Thai people. - as was overwhelmingly
demonstrated by the huge number of royal guests who came to Thailand to
honour our King, earlier this month. Hundreds of Thais and Americans
crowded in to the new Bhumibol Square, to witness the event and the street
sign reads: “King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Born December 5, 1927, Mt. Auburn
Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts.” It also bears the “tri-couleur”
of the Thai flag.
The Princess then delivered a speech to thank the city of Cambridge. The
square, she said, was more than a reminder of His Majesty’s birth because
it also embodied the common goals of both countries to work the benefit of
humanity.
Thank you Princess Chulabhorn for your own lifetime of dedication.
All of us at the Chiangmai Mail join the whole Kingdom in wishing Her
Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn a Most Happy 49th
Birthday, on the fourth of July, 2006.

Pai River dredging still unfinished

Flood
and mudslide in Muang district and market in Pai district last year. (file
photo)

Saksit Meesubkwang
Last year, much damage and subsequent losses occurred after the Pai river
changed its course. After this, it was decided that dredging would be the
answer, but on June 22, Direk Konkleeb, Mae Hong Son Governor inspected the
dredging operation at the river Pai, and found that it was not finished, and
it was doubtful if the dredging would be completed before the wet season set
in.
He now believes that the province has to seriously plan for evacuation in
case of flood and mudslides, especially in Pai district, and Pang Ma Pha
district where rescue personnel are limited. The province has planned for
shelter, food, and clothes for victims of disasters but they cannot predict
when these will occur.
After issuing these dire warnings, the governor hastened to reassure
tourists that they need not fear and can still visit as usual.

TBC meeting resolves little

Chiangmai Mail Reporters
At the regular conference of the Township Border Committee (TBC) at
Tachilek, Thai officials asked for cooperation from Burmese officials to
search for a mother and her son who were residents of Mae Chan district and
were captured by unknown military force on June 20.
The Thai officials raised the matter of the abducted pair after the Burmese
representative claimed that Thailand has trespassed 22 bases. They also
asked about the abduction of 17 Burmese people in Muang Tum, knowledge of
which was denied by Col. Somsak Nilbancherdkul, speaking for Thailand.
The matter of reducing border forces was not resolved but an agreement not
to increase them was reached. Thai officials also thanked their Burmese
counterparts for providing facilities to nine Thai people who had gambled,
won and then lost, when they were arrested in Burma. but were later
released.

Burma retaliates to Thai arrests

Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Burma has seized and restricted Thai products being transported through
Tachilek into Burma. It is believed this is in retaliation for Thailand’s
arrest of some Burmese laborers. Thai merchants are afraid of losing their
livelihood.

Army claims Mae Hong Son now 60 percent alien

Corruption allowing it to happen

Forest
nearby the 7th
Infantry Regiment was trespassed by 25 households of these alien laborers.

Khajohn Boonphat
The 7th Infantry Regiment
claimed that illegal aliens smuggled into Mae Hong Son now form 60 percent
of the province’s population and this has caused security problems. They
blamed administrative officers for failing to control the excessive numbers
of Burmese entering the city. They said that at least 1,500 illegal
immigrants a month were smuggled through Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai.
Lt. Col. Pongmit Pinpankong, of the 7th
Infantry Regiment said many Burmese citizens who were smuggled into Thailand
were mostly commercial immigrants and not escaping battles in Burma at all.
He claimed that 100,000 of the 220,000 residents of Mae Hong Son were
Burmese alien workers and only 50,000 were refugees.
They lived in farms and orchards belonging to Thai citizens, in border
ranges, hills and forest. They stayed in Thailand and despoiled food,
resources, carried diseases and were prone to criminal behavior and recently
it was found that immense area of valuable water source forest had been
destroyed.
Most importantly, it was discovered that alien workers living at Tambon Na
Poo Pom, Pang Mapha in Mae Hong Son had, all undetected, cut trees over
10,000 rai of land although this area was a protected water source forest (A
Ozone area). It this is not solved, it will affect the eco-system in the
long term and Thai citizens will face a drought.
An officer revealed that female alien workers at Huay Pok Jan did not work
legally at all, but cut teak in a forest near the village. Meanwhile, women
went out to steal agricultural products from Thai residents to sell in the
fresh market of Mae Hong Son municipality. Some village, headman kept alien
workers for their own benefit.
Higher level officers had several times been informed but ignored the mater
so acting officers became demoralized and some even began to associate with
agents transferring alien workers from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai.

Is your microwave oven leaking?

Preeyanoot Jittawong
Currently there is no regulation controlling microwave ovens in Thailand but
the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health is to adopt
the US Microwave oven standard 21 CFR 1030.10, U.S. Food and Drug
Association.

Regional Medical Sciences Center, Chiang Mai is warning people that pulses
from leaking microwave ovens could conceivably cause skin cancer, if the
dosage was high enough, over a long period of time.
Thammarat Boonsoong, a medical researcher of Regional Medical Sciences
Center, Chiang Mai warned electromagnetic pulses are created within the
oven. If any part of the oven leaks these pulses can then escape. In most
countries regulations are in place to ensure ovens do not leak and severe
penalties are imposed on oven manufacturers if they do.
The Regional Medical Sciences Center, Chiang Mai provides a free microwave
oven checking service. If people gather more than 10 microwave ovens in one
place, the center will send officers to provide the service on site. It will
take approximately 15 minutes to check each oven. For more information,
contact Regional Medical Sciences Center, Chiang Mai, Tel. 0-5311-2188 –
90 Ext. 105 or 502.

Exempted products warehouse for Ratchaphruek

Nopniwat
Krailerg
An “Exempted products warehouse for Ratchaphruek” has been set up by the
Customs Department and the Department of Agriculture on 470 rai of the Royal
Research Center, Tambon Mae Hia, in Chiang Mai.

Adisak
Srisanphakit, Director General of Department of Agriculture and Dr. Sathit
Limphongphan, Director General of the Customs Department.

Dr. Sathit Limphongphan, Director General of the Customs Department said
that the Customs Department and Department of Agriculture signed an
arrangement for the International Horticultural Exposition Ratchaphruek 2006
at the Royal Research Center, to benefit domestic and foreign organizations
that are part of the product exhibition.
Exemptions from taxes and duties will be offered by the Customs Department
for domestic and foreign organizations who bring anything involved with the
“Exempted products warehouse for Ratchaphruek”.
However, there is a condition that those products have to be re-exported
from the kingdom within 60 days from the end of the exhibition (the last day
of the Ratchaphruek 2006 is January 31, 2007).

Local business leader calls for change of mindset

By Murray Dickson
The Managing Director of Horeca Supply Company, Rudy van den Berg has urged
business leaders throughout Northern Thailand to change their mindset and
become more Pro-active in developing our region.
Rudy van den Berg says over the past five or six years we’ve seen Chiang
Mai change from a Backpacker’s destination into a more up-market booming
city but unfortunately many people in the hospitality and tourism industry
have failed to take advantage of the situation and are reluctant to move
with the times by upgrading their services, presentation and facilities.
Rudy van den Berg, in announcing the up coming Horeca Food Show and Seminar
to be staged at the Sheraton Hotel Chiang Mai on July 20, said the
“invitation only” show aimed at business owners, general managers, chefs
and food and beverage managers is intended to show attendees how to add more
value to their existing products and services by applying some simple
techniques which will increase revenue. He cited the number of high-end
hotels which have recently opened their doors and says, with more to come
there is an obvious high degree of confidence amongst major investors in our
region.
However, he says this same degree of confidence is not so apparent at the
other end of the scale and it’s these operators who, instead of worrying
about an adverse effect on their livelihoods should seize the opportunity
and take steps to up grade their own services and facilities in order to
cash in on the expected increase in more affluent visitors.
Rudy van den Berg says the mindset of some business owners that “a half
full glass is half empty,” needs to change and they should address the
challenge of how to “top up the glass,” by means of Value Adding. He
says his company which is bringing in a range of leading manufacturers as
exhibitors along with celebrity Chef Mc.Daeng for the food show and seminar
sees the event as an important factor in the growing of Northern
Thailand’s tourist industry and as a way to help “top up the glass.”

Nopniwat Krailerg
With the local fascination for the beauty of Lanna ladies, six former Miss
Chiang Mai winners of the past and present gathered at Central Airport Plaza
Chiang Mai.
Dr. Chao Duang Duan Na Chiang Mai, President of Chiang Mai Provincial
Culture Council felt that there should be paintings and a book recording the
biographies of Miss Chiang Mai since 1974 to 2006. Consequently, the Miss
Chiang Mai organizers are searching for biographies of former Misses Chiang
Mai, and it is hoped that the book will be completed in July, complete with
drawings of the past winners.

Varee Chiangmai School triumphs in 5th Water Rocket Competition

Ready,
aim…fire!

Staff Reporter
Varee Chiangmai School won the 1st
place in Chiang Mai and 3rd
place in the region for the 5th
Water Rocket Competition.
The National Science Museum (NSM) held the 5th
Water Rocket Competition at Maejo University, Chiang Mai. This activity is
to motivate and promote systematic scientific study for teenagers through
exciting and entertaining scientific experiment.
Water Rockets are exciting and also provides scientific study. It also makes
students learn how to work in teams, how to experiment, how to express their
ideas and imagination through their work.
One hundred and ninety six teams participated in this first round of the
competition held on June 17-18. Varee Chiangmai School fielded four teams of
which three teams were selected as representatives of the region.
These three teams will compete in the final round on August 17-18 at
National Science Museum.

Nopniwat Krailerg
100 young people from Ratprachanukroh School, Mae Chaem School and Chom
Thong School have received instruction from the National Astronomical
Research Institute (NARI), Ministry of Science and Technology about
astronomy at Doi Inthanon National Park.

Young
people looking at the planets though a telescope.

The address was given by ML Aniwat Sooksawat, lecturer from the Physics
Department of Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University.
The young attendants were very interested, particularly in the activities of
NARI to stimulate young people to learn about astronomy, with the
forthcoming help of a national planetarium to be constructed in Doi Inthanon
National Park.
After the lecture, an 8 inch telescope was made available for the interested
attendants to see the planets. Eakarat Somboon, computer academic of NARI
explained how to use the equipment.

Alien residents accused of drug dealing sue TAO member

Khajohn Boonphat
Thongchai Jarujitt, a member of Mok Jampae TAO and chairman of Baan Rak Thai
Community Enterprise presented a petition to Mae Hong Son Governor, accusing
Seksan Jairakprapasuk, Baan Rak Thai village headman of obstructing
vegetable growing, as he gained no advantage from it, and that he had
claimed that almost 30 percent Baan Rak Thai villagers deal and took drugs.
The villagers who are mainly Chinese Haw and Kanachat Chinese soldiers were
unhappy as it affected their application for Thai nationality.
In turn, Seksan consulted with the 150 villagers saying that the petition
was just to protect Thongchai Jarujitt himself before he is sued as he has
been chairman of Baan Rak Thai Community Enterprise since 2005, but has not
informed the villagers of any progress of the enterprise except to claim
that members would have jobs with wages of 150 baht a day. Although these
people had already signed to open bank accounts, Thongchai kept them all
including ATM cards and he also knew the passwords.
Thongchai in cooperation with Chanchai Chaisrisawas, head officer of Muang
Mae Hong Son Development Office and Decha Sattapon, Muang district chief
officer of Mae Hong Son started the Baan Rak Thai Community Enterprise
project and presented it to Direk Konkleep, Mae Hong Song governor for
authorization without getting the opinion of residents. The villagers did
not know of the project until he cleared part of forest area and another
bamboo area belonging to Third Army Region. (He claimed that it was to
prepare for a community enterprise project but in the end that area was
seized by forest officers.)
In addition, the Baan Rak Thai villagers presented a petition to Pol. Gen.
Chitchai Wannasathit, Deputy PM, when he visited Mae Hong Son to learn about
the drug situation. The villagers also informed Bureau of the Royal
Household about this issue asking it to deal with this case of local
government officials forcing residents to accept a project they did not
want.

Big bust clinic busted

Owner deflated!

Saksit Meesubkwang
Ladies of the night of both sexes, and others hoping to enlarge their
frontal attributes suffered a setback when a clinic indulging their desires
was raided on June 19.

Public
Health officers testing chemical substance used for enlarging breasts.

The clinic, operated by Yawdkwan Singhkaew was located in Soi Chediplong in
front of Chiang Mai Rajabhat University on Chotana Road, Chiang Mai. The
first floor was separated into a counter and three beds like a hospital; and
medicines and chemical substance were stored in the other section.
It was learnt that the operator, Yawdkwan Singhkaew, worked as a technical
nursing officer of Muang Phrao Municipality and he had run the illicit
clinic for three years. Most of customers were ladies working in karaoke
night clubs and katoeys who wanted to raise their topography.
The cost of the basic procedure was 10,000 baht per breast and carried out
by injecting 100 cc of chemical substance. The customer had to be injected
several times depending on the size of the original mammary gland and how
close to Pamela Anderson’s chest they wanted to be at the end.

Chemical
substance bottles found in the illicit clinic.

The clinic was busted and the operator arrested because
the police were informed by a customer when she suffered allergic reactions
to the chemicals injected. She said that others had become so ill they had
to enter the ICU of a hospital
Public Health officers and the police have warned that little ladies should
research carefully and find a legal and safe place if they want to add
weight to their frontal charms.
The superintendent of Chang Puek Police Station advised that 300 clients who
had been treated at that clinic should report themselves to the station so
they could have a further examination and health check. Pol. Col. Chamnan
Ruadreuw, deputy commander of Chiang Mai Provincial Police said that the
police would now pay more attention to beauty service places and would
prosecute them if any illegal practices were exposed.

Thai-Laotian border human traffickers hide in villages

Saksit Meesubkwang
There seems to be no letup in either the demand or supply of girls from Laos
deceived into allowing traffickers to smuggle them into Thailand.
Khammoon Sasom, village headwoman of Tambon Phusang, Phayao said that all
village headmen are concerned about burgeoning human trafficking as the
people involved in this illegal dealing hid amongst villages, particularly
on 10 and 30th of every month
when a market is held.
She added that concern is growing amongst villagers in the area. Girls from
Laos PDR who tried to work in Thailand were often deceived by agents
offering them attractive jobs as waitresses or housemaids. Smuggling them in
to Thailand was easy because the girls did not pass a checkpoint at Baan
Huak but walked along the border and simply slipped in unobserved.
Chareunsri Chaikhat, coordinator of Human Trafficking Prevention Office,
Phayao, said that officers were collecting information about the trade from
witnesses and informers to try and control it and have set up a special
force to deal with it. Nevertheless, she admitted that this remains
worrisome and could be described as an international problem. She advised
that educating the girls at the source about the deceitful practice was the
best way to prevent girls believing the blandishments of evil traffickers
from Thailand.

Drug smuggling surrounds Thailand

Manufacturers and suppliers well known

Saksit Meesubkwang
Yet another conference on drug smuggling prevention has been held. Pithaya
Jinawat, vice secretary of Office of Narcotic Control Board (ONCB), presided
over the conference to make people aware of the illegal drug situation.

Pithaya
Jinawat, (center) vice secretary general of Office of Narcotic Control Board
(ONCB).

Pithaya said that opium plantations in Burma and Laos are decreasing but
opium plantations in the south of Shan state, close to Mae Hong Son and
Chiang Rai are increasing. Heroin and speed pills are still manufactured in
Burma, but the number of factories has decreased, however, the incidence of
Ice production is higher. In Laos, it is mainly marihuana. The main illegal
drug manufacturers and dealers are Wa, Haw, Lisu, Tai tribe, Democratic
Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), and Karen National Union (KNU) opposite Tak and
there are dealers in Myanmar, China, and Laos.
There are 38 drug smuggling points in Burma, and 10 in Laos. The main route
from Burma is the upper Northern region at Tak, Kanchanaburi, transferring
to Laos and back to Thailand for transfer to Cambodia.
At this time, in Thailand, there are only approximately 2,400 addicted
people. The government has issued orders to 28 provinces, that face severe
drug problems, to come up with a solution within three months. In the
Northern region, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son orders were given
to establish treatment centers and jobs for those who had been addicted to
illegal drugs.
The government has budgeted approximately 10 million baht fund to support
the army in the narcotic suppression operation.
Pithaya also said that previously, in Phayao, the narcotic suppression
performance was highly effective because the governor concentrated on drugs
that affected children and teenagers and made every organization cooperate.
He wants other provinces to perform like Phayao.

Laotian arrested smuggling protected wild insect remains

Nopniwat Krailerg
Muang Chiang Mai police arrested Kongkaew Phanboriwat, 27, Laotian in living
in a hotel located in Night Bazaar zone, and confiscated 10 boxes of wild
insect remains, totaling several thousand protected species such as
Coleoptera.
He confessed that these insect remains were from Laos smuggled in through
Nong Khai and this was the second time he had done a bug run. They were to
be distributed to travelers in Chiang Mai with Khob Daeng Coleoptera and
Kwang Dao Coleoptera being sold for 150 baht each. Some clients had
purchased from him in large numbers to export to Japan where they were
favored as ornaments. However, he said that he did not know it was protected
wildlife and was illegal.
He was accused of possessing wildlife without permission according to
Wildlife Protection Act 1992, to be punished by incarceration for four years
or to be fined 400,000 baht. Insecticide carries a high price!

Swipe card merchant swipes untold thousands

Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Claiming to be an agent for various financial institutions, Waritthorn
Tamkwan of Chiang Mai solicited clients and used their cards as soon as
approved without passing them on to the clients.
This was discovered when Sayamon Kham-ai, fruit seller in Fang, Chiang Mai,
informed them that she had applied for a credit card through Waritthorn and
later received a statement showing she was 60,000 baht in debt, although she
had not yet received her card.
When the police arrested Waritthorn they found documents used for making
credit card from several finance institutes for almost 200 clients.
Before his arrest, police learnt that Waritthorn had previously been an
authorized agent.
Waritthorn would replace the picture in their ID card with his picture and
after the credit was authorized, take the cards for his own use and
fabricate documents to inform the unsuspecting applicants that they had not
been approved.

Drug dealer takes ‘Care’ but gets killed

Nopniwat Krailerg
Police officers, acting on a presumed tip-off, at Baan Kew Thap Yang in Mae
Chan, Chiang Rai, searched the Cherdchai tour bus from Mae Chan to Bangkok.
The police searched passenger belongings in the overhead racks and a plastic
bottle of “Care” talcum powder was thought to be suspicious.
While they were sniffing with care, a passenger stood up and snatched the
policeman’s pistol. A struggle ensued and chaos reigned on the bus.
Lt. Supap On-udom from Pha Muang Task Force traveling on the bus and Suthep
Meebut, the driver, helped the policeman to attempt to regain possession of
the pistol but two bullets were fired through the hands of both the snatcher
and the police officer and a passenger Yum Han Mong Doi was shot in the leg.
The offender fled with the gun but was shot by police and died on the road
while the policeman and the injured passenger were taken to Mae Chan
Hospital.
The passenger was later identified as Uthen Khampanbut, 25, resident of
Lampang, and the talcum bottle was found to contain 1,952 pills of WY ya ba.